how do i commit changes in test mode?

i see that in unity, you can make changes while you're actually in runtime, but how do you commit the changes so they stay when you're finished?

Easiest Way:

  1. Enter play mode,
  2. Adjust your values,
  3. Right click on Script > “copy Component
  4. Exit play mode,
  5. Go to original prefab > Right click on Script > “paste component as values

And you are Done !

If you had several changes in the editor you could also select all objects that have been changed. Copy them while you are in playtestmode, end the playtest mode and than delete the old stuff that has been reseted by Unity and finally paste your copied stuff in there. They will stay like you copied them in playtest mode.

This may help: http://answers.unity3d.com/questions/1657/best-strategies-for-not-accidently-editing-whilst-still-running

You can turn an object (and all sub-objects) into a prefab whilst in play mode, which effectively saves all the changes you made to said objects (and sub-objects)
After exiting play mode replace said object by the prefab and you are done.

I don’t recommend this as a “quick fix” to the “Oh shucks I was editing while in play mode”; I do recommend it as a solution when play mode feels necessary to make specific changes.

While this solution won’t fit every need, it’s relatively selective (does not save ALL changes) and more powerful than just copy-pasting a component onto itself.

You cannot. The changes you make while in "play" mode (or runtime as you put it) are only there for you to fool around with the settings during gameplay. All those changes are wiped when you stop the game. In order for them to stay, you just need to make the changes while not in runtime mode and save the scene.

So this is like a “cheat” if you built level doodads on a map screen with all your animation scripts running but then you exit and all your new pretty art installations are gone because you did it in play mode.

Great that’s my exact situation! Cheers.